Pipeline Review Coordination Act

Summary#

This bill makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews tied to authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act and certificates under section 7. FERC must coordinate early with other agencies that may need to act on related federal authorizations. The bill sets deadlines for identifying and inviting participating agencies (30 to 45 days) and for designating participating agencies (60 days). Agencies not designated generally may not do a separate supplemental NEPA review or have their comments included, unless they show a legal need or new information.

The bill limits the use of Clean Water Act section 401 certifications by saying applicants are not required to provide a section 401 certification for a federal authorization. It requires FERC to identify the State or interstate water agency for any discharge and allows those State agencies to propose terms for authorizations; FERC may include those terms only if needed to ensure compliance with listed Clean Water Act provisions.

The bill requires schedules for federal authorizations to be set by FERC and says authorizations should occur no later than 90 days after FERC completes its project-related NEPA review unless another law sets a different schedule. Agencies must make plans to meet those schedules, report progress to FERC at least every 90 days, and send a notice to Congress within 5 days if they miss a deadline. The bill also allows use of remote survey data and third-party contractors paid by applicants to help review applications.

FERC must post tracking information on its website about the steps, schedules, contacts, and reasons for delays for applications that need multiple federal authorizations. Finally, FERC must consult the Transportation Security Administration about pipeline security, cybersecurity, and personnel security matters.

What it means for you#

• Pipeline applicants: One lead agency (FERC) will handle the main NEPA review. You can expect set timelines, public tracking of steps, acceptance of remote survey data, and the option to fund third-party reviewers.
• Federal and State agencies: Agencies must respond quickly to invitations to participate, coordinate with FERC, follow schedules, report progress, and may be limited from doing separate NEPA reviews unless legally required or new information arises.
• Members of the public and local officials: You will have public access to a tracking page with schedules, required actions, points of contact, and explanations for delays. States can propose water quality terms, but FERC decides whether to include them.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text states goals of promoting early interagency coordination, making the Commission the single NEPA lead, expediting project-related NEPA reviews, improving transparency through public tracking, and ensuring pipeline security by consulting the TSA.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' stated views in the bill text or metadata.